I am looking to buy a welder but dont want to spend a fortune so I can learn to weld but what type of welder would be good to weld like exhaust, c-notches ect..?
Find a used one on craigslist, usually a mig welder is best for friendly operation, find a lincoln or miller or hobart for around 300-400 bucks and you'll be set to screw around, you can use gas or gas less set up, gasless uses fluxcore wires which is easier to operate but also welds messier and only weld metal thin to a certain point, if you do a gas setup which uses solid core wire and argon gas, then you get cleaner welds and you can weld thin sheet metal, usually a 120-140 amp would do, i have a miller 211 and its lovely, supports 110/220v but sets at a price of $1000
Thanx on the input I appreciate it and I was looking at the craftman welder Search Results Idk if it would be good or a waste of money?
I'm not familiar with that particular welder. I have a Hobart Handler 140 and we used it to do my notch. And, Hobart is made by Miller. If you are going to buy one used, make sure they prove to you that it's in good working order. Ask them to do a couple of welds. I don't know if you guys have a Northern Tools in your area, but they usually sell the Hobart for 499.99. You can use these links to do a comparison: FREE SHIPPING Hobart Handler 140 115V Flux Cored/MIG Welder 140 Amp Output, Model# 500500 | Wirefeed Welders| Northern Tool + Equipment Lincoln Electric Easy MIG 140 115V Flux Cored/MIG Welder 140 Amp Output, Model# K2697-1 | Wirefeed Welders| Northern Tool + Equipment
Ok thanx for your input as well Ive seen on other forums were they say gasless welders usually have messier welds and that MIG is better
Well you can run flux core on mig its a different type of wire tht has the gas in it. Its not good for sheetmetal an will burn through it. I have a Lincoln pro mig 180 from Lowes good machine an I've welded upto 1/4". I got it from Lowes for about 800 with bigger wire spool an some other things I needed tht day
Mig will be your best friend starting out but fluxcore is not very fun to work with. Arc welders are more for big stuff like heavy gauge metal, and tig takes a super soft touch. It does lay a nicer bead and i hear it's a stronger weld but from the sounds of it you will get by with a mig. Esp for now. Lincoln and miller are the two strongest competitors.
Home Depot also sells the Lincoln Mig 140's for bout $550 and the 180's for $700ish For starting out but then eventually gettin better and doing more intricate lines and corners as well as different gauges of steel and such the Lincoln 180 is fantastic for what it is. DO NOT BUY A HARBOR FREIGHT WELDER it will work for a bit but once you get smooth on your beads and able to weld faster you will be discusted with the inconsistency the welder itself produces. Id say if your budget is under a grand then Hobart, Lincoln and a handful of Miller welders is gonna be your best and perfect bet. Also I think the Lincoln welders are all able to run off household current but if you want to weld hotter and faster then you will need to go 220
